Current Affairs Update 10-11th November, 2017

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Current Affairs Update 7-9 November, 2017

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CurrentAffairs November 7, 2017

CurrentAffairs November 8, 2017
CurrentAffairs November 9, 2017

Current Affairs Update 30th to 31st October, 2017

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CurrentAffairs October 30, 2017

CurrentAffairs October 31, 2017

Current Affairs October 27-29, 2017

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CurrentAffairs October 27, 2017

CurrentAffairs October 28, 2017

CurrentAffairs October 29, 2017

Current Affairs October 24-26, 2017

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CurrentAffairs October 24, 2017

CurrentAffairs October 25, 2017

CurrentAffairs October 26, 2017

Current Affairs October 23, 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Haryana to introduce ‘PGs for cattle’ to boost milk production
On October 22, 2017, Haryana State Government announced to set up ‘PGs (Paying Guests) for cattle’, through which people living in high-rises or in urban areas will be able to rear their own cattle and produce quality milk for their personal consumption.
i. Under this initiative, Haryana State Government will earmark 50 to 100 acres of land for dairy business.
ii. In such earmarked areas, there will be two types of dairies – one will be traditional and the other will be set up as ‘PGs for cattle’.
iii. People who live in high rise buildings in a big city where rearing cattle is not possible, but still want to consume milk of their own cow or buffalo, can rear their own cattle and get quality milk by taking up plots reserved for ‘PGs for cattle’ in the earmarked dairy areas.
iv. Haryana Government is taking several measure to boost dairy industry in the state with an objective to make Haryana as the best state in milk production.

India’s First Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra for Skilling in Smart Cities
On October 23, 2017, Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh along with Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated India’s first Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) for Skilling in Smart Cities in New Delhi in collaboration with New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).About India’s First Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra for Skilling in Smart Cities:
i. This centre, located at Mandir Marg, New Delhi, is an exemplary heritage building of approx. 30,000 sq.ft.
ii. It has a capacity of skilling 4000 youth annually and caters to healthcare and solar energy sectors.
iii. The centre will be managed by Orion Edutech, which is National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) affiliated training partner.
iv. Orion Edutech has trained nearly 3 lakh candidates through its network of over 275 skill development centres across India.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

State of World Population 2017 Report launched
As per the recently released State of World Population 2017 report by the United Nations Population Fund, prevailing inequality between rich and poor has to be tackled on an urgent basis and poorest and most vulnerable women will have to be empowered to make their own decisions about their lives. On failing to do so, countries across the world could face unrest and their development will be hampered.
i. The report has been titled “Worlds Apart: Reproductive Health and Rights in an Age of Inequality.”
ii. As of 2017, half of 1.6 billion women of reproductive age living in developing regions want to avoid a pregnancy.Around 59 million women use unreliable traditional methods of pregnancy prevention whereas 155 million use no method of contraception at all.

Current Affairs October 22, 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Kandla Port gets green nod to develop Rs 1,176 crore smart city
Government-owned Kandla Port Trust has received environment clearance for setting up a smart industrial port city in Kutch, Gujarat 
About Smart Port Cities to be developed by Kandla Port Trust:
i. As per the proposal, smart industrial port cities will be set up at two separate sites in Gandhidham city, (in Kutch district of Gujarat).
ii. These industrial port cities would house about 35,700 residential flats, schools and parks, and would generate jobs for more than 60,000 people.
iii. Cost for setting up these industrial port cities is estimated at Rs. 1176 crore.
iv. One smart port city will be set up on 580 acres of land whereas the other will be spread across an area of  850 acres.
v. It is to be noted that Kandla Port Trust has been recently renamed as Deendayal Port by the Union Ministry of Shipping.

PM launches development initiatives in Vadodara
On October 22, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a visit to Vadodara, Gujarat. During the course of this visit, he launched following development initiatives:

i. PM dedicated to the nation, the Vadodara City Command Control Centre; New Head Office Building of the Bank of Baroda and Waghodiya Regional Water Supply Scheme.
ii. He laid the foundation stones of an integrated transport hub, regional water supply schemes, housing projects, and a flyover. 
iii. He also laid foundation stone for the capacity expansion of the Mundra-Delhi petroleum product pipeline, and a greenfield marketing terminal project of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), at Vadodara. 
iv. Beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban, as well as Rural) were handed over the keys to the houses by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Hirasar Greenfield Airport Project in Gujarat gets Green Clearance
Union Environment Ministry has given green clearance for a greenfield airport project at Hirasar, located about 28 km from Rajkot in Gujarat.
About Hirasar Greenfield Airport Project:
i. Gujarat State Government had proposed to build the Hirasar Greenfield Airport, as the existing airport in Rajkot is small and the earlier plan to extend the current runway could not be carried out as it involved high land cost.
ii. Hirasar Greenfield Airport Project will be developed by Gujarat State Aviation Infrastructure Company Ltd (GSAICL).
iii. Estimated project cost is over Rs 1400 crore
iv. The airport will be built on an area of 1025.54 hectare. 96.48 per cent of the land for this project is government land.
v. On completion, this airport will not only boost trade and tourism but will also generate around 1000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Current Affairs October 21, 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Government sets up expert group for suggestions on artificial intelligence policy
Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has set up an internal committee which will provide suggestions to Indian government on framing a national policy on artificial intelligence (AI).
i. This internal committee comprising of experts will advise the IT ministry on the most appropriate technology for India in context of emerging trends in the area of AI.
ii. Reducing/averting cyber attacks carried out with the help of AI is the main focus area of Indian government.

Five-member committee to select RSTV’s next editor-in-chief
As per an order from Rajya Sabha secretariat, a five-member committee has been formed to select the candidate for the post of editor-in-chief of Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV).
More Details about committee to select RSTV’s next editor-in-chief
i. This committee is headed by Prasar Bharati Chairman A Surya Prakash.
ii. Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta, Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati, Additional Secretary (Personnel) in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat P P K Ramacharyulu and journalist Rahul Srivastava are the other members of this search-cum-selection committee.
iii. The committee will invite applications for the post and will conduct interviews of suitable candidates. Based on the interviews, recommendation for final selection will be submitted to Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
iv. The post of RSTV’s editor-in-chief felt vacant when Gurdeep Singh Sappal resigned after Hamid Ansari’s term as vice-president came to an end in August 2017.

Rajasthan limits probes against public servants
Rajasthan State Government under Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has passed Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 which seeks to protect serving judges, former judges, magistrates and public servants in Rajasthan from being investigated for on-duty action without Government’s prior sanction.
i. The ordinance also seeks to bar the media from reporting on accusations till the sanction to proceed with the probe is obtained.
ii. The ordinance provides 180 days immunity to the officers, during which no investigation could be ordered nor could any investigation be carried out against serving judges, former judges, magistrates and public servants in Rajasthan.
iii. No decision on request to sanction investigation till the end of immunity period would automatically mean that sanction has been granted.
iv. Violators of the clauses of this ordinance could face two years of imprisonment.

UP Government doubles ex-gratia amount for police officials
On October 21, 2017, Uttar Pradesh State Government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced to double the ex-gratia amount for police officials martyred on duty.i. Post this announcement, the ex-gratia amount for Police officials martyred on duty stands, revised to Rs. 40 lakh from Rs. 20 lakh earlier. 

Current Affairs October 20, 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

India among five countries responsible for 50% newborn deaths
As per a report titled “Levels and Trends in Child Mortality 2017”, India along with Pakistan, Nigeria, Congo and Ethiopia is responsible for half of all new-born deaths in the world.
i. This report has been authored by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank Group and United Nations.
ii. Estimates of under-five, infant and neonatal mortality have been presented in this report. Besides, progress at the country, regional and global levels has also been assessed

Dharmendra Pradhan launches Odisha’s first PNG supply in Bhubaneswar
On October 19, 2017, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Odisha’s first PNG (Piped Natural Gas) project in Bhubaneswar.

About Odisha’s first PNG Project:
i. This PNG supply project is a part of ‘Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga’ pipeline project.
ii. It has been inaugurated almost six months ahead of its deadline of March 2018.
iii. Post this inauguration, PNG supply to 255 houses in Nalco Nagar of Bhubaneswar has been commenced under the first phase of this project.
iv. The target of the project is to provide one crore PNG connections in the state by 2020, of which, Ministry expects to cover a major portion of the city by the end of year 2019.

Gujarati New Year 2017
On 20^th October 2017, the Gujarati New Year was celebrated by the Gujaratis.
Gujarati New Year:
i. The Gujarat is celebrate their New Year a day after Diwali. The Gujarati New year is also called Bestu Varas. It is celebrated on the first day of the Kartik month in the Shukla Paksha.
ii. The Gujarati New Year or Bestu Varas is also called Varsha-pratipada or Padwa. People cleaned their houses, prepared rangolis and wore new clothes and offered pujas at the temples. The most important work of the day was the beginning of the new accounting books for businesspersons.
iii. They prayed to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) and Lord Ganesha (God of prosperity and well-being) for divine blessings. This puja is called Chopda Puja. Chopda in Gujarati means accounting books.
About Gujarat:
♦ Capital – Gandhinagar
♦ Governor – Om Prakash Kohli
♦ Chief Minister – Vijay Rupani

Current Affairs October 19, 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Assam govt rolls out new Tourism policy
On October 19, 2017, Assam State Government rolled out ‘Tourism Policy of Assam 2017’ with an aim to increase tourist inflow in the state by at least two to three times within next five years.
i. ‘Tourism Policy of Assam 2017’ will be effective from January 2018 to December 2022.
ii. To channelize resources in making this policy a success story, tourism sector in Assam has been accorded the ‘Industry’ status.

Arunachal Assembly approves Kamle as 23rd district
On October 18, 2017, Arunachal Pradesh State Assembly passed Arunachal Pradesh (Re-Orgaisation of Districts) Amendment Bill 2017 to create a new district named ‘Kamle’. The bill was introduced on October 14, 2017 by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prema Khandu.
About Arunachal Pradesh’s Kamle District:
i. Kamle is the 23^rd district of Arunachal Pradesh. It has been created by bifurcating the present Upper and Lower Subansiri districts.
ii. It has six administrative units (three each from Upper Subansiri and Lower Subansiri).
iii. Kamle has a population of 22,256 homogeneous people.
iv. Amid rising concerns that this decision would encourage creation of more districts in future and will thereby affect state’s exchequer, Chief Minister Prema Khandu stated that government is planning to re-visit the district creation policy of 1983.
Quick Facts about Arunachal Pradesh:
♦ Capital – Itanagar
♦ Current Chief Minister – Prema Khandu
♦ Current Governor – B D Mishra

Indian Army organises Jashn -e-Kokernag to strengthen jawan-awam relationship
With the slogan of“Jawan aur Awaam Amun Hai Muqam”( Army and Locals together, peace will prevail ), 19 batch Rashtriya Rifles of the Indian Army on 19^th October 2017 organised ‘Jashn-e-Breng’ festival in Kokernag village of the Anantnag district to promote peace and brotherhood between security forces and the local population.i. The soldiers arranged free medical assistance and several cultural programmes for the Kokernag public.
ii. GOC P.S Raju, Commander RR, DC Anantnag and several other District officers were present for the event.
iii. The camp had several stalls which included agriculture, horticulture, and Veterinary.

Current Affairs October 18, 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Assam approved new IT policy
On October 17, 2017, Assam State Government approved a new Information Technology (IT) Policy.
More Details about Assam Govt’s ne IT Policy:
i. Under the new IT policy, companies involved in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO),companies engaged in software development and firms carrying out research will be provided financial support.
ii. Call centres will receive one-time incentive of Rs. 1.20 lakh per employee, with minimum intake of 100 employees.
iii. Companies engaged in software development will receive one-time support of Rs 1.50 lakh per employee.
iv. For firms carrying out research and development work and having minimum 50 seats, Rs 2.5 lakh as one-time support per employee will be provided.
v. These companies will also get the benefit of land and power supply at subsidised rates.
Quick Facts about Assam:
Capital – Dispur
Current Chief Minister – Sarbananda Sonowal
Current Governor – Jagdish Mukhi

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu lays foundation stone for TU142M aircraft museum
On 17^th October 2017, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the TU142M aircraft museum in Visakhapatnam.TU142M Aircraft museum:
i. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Eastern naval command Chief Vice Admiral H.C.S.Bisht laid the foundation stone of the TU142M aircraft museum. This is being built at the Beach Road in Visakhapatnam.
ii. The Russian aircraft TU142M was decommissioned at INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu after 29 years. It was brought to Visakhapatnam on 8^th April 2017 to be converted into a Museum.
iii. The TU142M aircraft museum will be inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind in December 2017.
Aerospace museums in India:
♦ HAL Aerospace Museum – Bangalore
♦ Indian Air Force Museum – Palam
♦ Naval Aviation Museum – Dabolim

Chhattisgarh government reduces interest on loan under Saksham Yojna
Chhattisgarh State Government has reduced the rate of interest on loan given to women and their self help groups (SHGs) under ‘Saksham Yojna’ from 6.5 per cent to 5 per cent.
More Details:
i. This decision was taken by Chhattisgarh  Women and Child Development Minister Ramsheela

Current Affairs October 17, 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister launches Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana
On October 16, 2017 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the ambitious ‘Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojna’ in the presence of the farmers at the Krishi Upaj Mandi in Khurai, Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh.
i. The objective of this scheme is to ensure reasonable prices to the farmers for their agriculture produces and thereby protecting them from losses suffered on account of distress sale
ii. Under this scheme, farmers will be compensated the difference between Minimum Support Price (declared by Union Government) and the actual sale price or Model Price, whichever is higher.

India International Cherry Blossom Festival to be held in Shillong
Second edition of India International Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from 8^th – 11^th November, 2017 in Shillong, Meghalaya.More Details about Second Edition of India International Cherry Blossom Festival:
i. This festival is being organised by Meghalaya State Government in association with the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal, and the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.
ii. Cherry Blossom trees bloom for a very short period every year. During this time, the stretch over which the trees are planted bears a pinkish white shade due to the blooming of flowers.
iii. Tradition of celebrating Cherry Blossom festival started in Japan and currently 27 nations celebrate this festival, mostly during the March-June period, depending on the time when cherry blossom trees bloom in that particular country.
iv. In this year’s Cherry Blossom festival in Shillong, there will be several events including guided night walks under illuminated cherry blossoms, musical performances, a beauty pageant and stalls showcasing the local wine, arts and craft of the region.

Haryana records 39% of cancer cases in India
As per a latest report, prevalence of Cancer in India has been on the rise and Haryana is home to 39% of cancer patients in India.
More Information:
i. It is estimated that nearly 17.3 lakh new cancer cases will be registered in India by the year 2020.
ii. As per a report by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), breast cancer accounts for 10% of all cancer cases in India, with 1.5 lakh new cases of breast cancer reported every year.
iii. In India, due to lack of awareness and social stigma, women find it difficult to come out in open and discuss about breast cancer and get themselves diagnosed.
iv. Medical experts are of the opinion that in order to reduce breast cancer-related deaths, myths surrounding the disease should be busted by spreading awareness, and information about treatment option should also be disseminated.

Birsa Munda Tribal University inaugurated in Narmada district
On October 14, 2017, Gujarat Minister of State for Tribal Welfare Shabdasharan Tadvi inaugurated the Birsa Munda Tribal University in Rajpipla, a tribal-dominated town in Narmada district of Gujarat.
About Birsa Munda Tribal University:
i. Campus of this University will come up on 25 acres of land at Jitnagar village on the outskirts of Rajpipla. Till then, the University will function from the premises of Adarsh Nivasi Shala.
ii. Bill to set up this University was passed by Gujarat State assembly in March 2017.
iii. Birsa Munda Tribal University would offer graduation, post- graduation, diploma and certificate courses on subjects of Arts, Commerce and Science steam. Courses on traditional art and skill, Herbal Medicine and

Current Affairs October 16, 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

8th BRICS Summit held in Goa
i. The 2016 BRICS summit is the eighth annual BRICS summit, an international relations conference attended by the heads of country or heads of government of the five member countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
ii. The summit held from 15 to 16 October 2016 at the Taj Exotica hotel in Benaulim, Goa, India. India will hold the chair of the BRICS from February 2016 to December 2016.
iii. The BRICS Summit 2016 adopted the Goa Declaration which unanimously hit out at the growing threat of terrorism, among other issues. India was the host nation of the 8th Summit and the 9th will be organised by China
iv. The first ever BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach summit held in Goa under the chairmanship of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Renewing the BIMSTEC bond, PM Narendra Modi and BIMSTEC leaders earlier gathered for a special retreat before the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit.

Government-constituted expert committee found Saraswatiriver did exist
i. The Saraswati river based on traditional stories existed a government-constituted expert committee has found. Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti stated that the government would take action on the report, which according to her, “cannot be challenged”.
ii. Professor K S Valdiya, who led the panel, explained that they had reached a conclusion that river Saraswati existed, it flowed.It originated in the Himalayas and met gulf at the western sea.
iii. According to a senior Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) official, Saraswati passed through Pakistan before meeting Western Sea through Rann of Kutch and was approximately 4,000 km in length.
iv. One-third of the river stretched in present-day Pakistan. The longer, two-third stretch measuring nearly 3000 km in length fell in India, the official claimed.

Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav (RSM) -2016’ begin in New Delhi
i. Home Minister Rajnath Singh would inaugurate the 10-day ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ (RSM) at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi.
ii. Nearly 2,000 artists from across the country will showcase India’s cultural heritage through performances, arts and cuisines.
iii. ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ in Delhi is one of the five such festivals planned for this year which will be organised at multiple venues, including Varanasi, Bangalore and Jammu and Kashmir, from November 15 to 25.
iv. The seven zonal cultural centres have been given slots to present their arts during the festival which would showcase an amalgamation of ‘Ek Bharat, Srestha Bharat’, ‘Hamaari Sanskriti, Hamaari Pahchaan’ and ‘Swachh India’.

Current Affairs October 13, 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Bihar Cabinet approves reservation for ‘Divyangs’ in Govt Jobs
On Oct 11^th 2017 , The Bihar state cabinet has approved reservations for persons with disabilities in government jobs and educational institutions.The approval was given during a meeting presided by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Cabinet Secretariat Department Special Secretary Upendra Nath Pandey.
i. This provision was made in accordance with the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
ii. The cabinet also approved the establishment of a state advisory board for the empowerment of ‘Divyangjan’ as envisaged in the Act.
Board members
Secretaries of various departments, Representatives from districts, 2 members from the state legislative Assembly and 1 member from the state legislative Council
Other Points
♦  The cabinet also decided to pay allowances to the state government employees as per the revised rates. The decision will be confirmed after a week from Diwali festival.
♦ Emoluments like family planning allowance and special pay for secretariat employees, except those involved in engineering and research activities, have been scrapped.

Kolkata to host international puppet festival
On 26^th – 31^st October 2017, Kolkata is to host an international Puppet festival named ‘PUN (Puppets Unite Neighbours) International Puppet Festival’ at Mohorkunj, Kolkata.PUN International Puppet Festival:
i. West Bengal principal secretary Tourism and Home Affairs Atri Bhattacharya would inaugurate the International puppet festival. The festival will be conducted for 6 days.
ii. Artists from the UK, Germany, Peru, Portugal, Italy, Lithuania, Brazil, Singapore and India would participate in the festival.
iii. This is the first time Kolkata would host such a festival. The puppet festival is aimed at regenerating the emotions attached to puppetry.
iv. This event is organized by RGV Events and Gems Akademia. They have been carrying out the preparations since 6 months for this festival.
About Puppetry:
♦ Puppetry – a form of performance that involves the manipulation of puppets
♦ World Puppetry Day – 21 March

Committee formed to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150^th birth anniversary
On 12^th October 2017, the Ministry of Culture announced that, a government committee has been formed to coordinate year-long celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150^th birth anniversary from 2^nd October, 2019.
Committee to coordinate Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary celebrations:
i. The government committee will be headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The committee includes the chief ministers of all the states, representatives from political sector, Gandhians, thinkers, and important persons from different fields.
ii. The Committee will guide and approve policies, programmes, activities for the celebrations. It will also supervise implementation of the decisions taken by the committee.
iii. The event would be celebrated at both national and international levels. The focus would be, to propagate the message of Mahatma Gandhi.
About Ministry of Culture:
♦ Minister of State (Independent Charge) – Mahesh Sharma
♦ Purpose – preservation and promotion of art and culture

Department of Post launches Sampoorna Bima Gram Yojana
On 13^th October 2017, the Minister for Communications Manoj Sinha launched the Sampoorna Bima Gram (SBG) Yojana and an initiative for expansion of clientele base of Postal Life Insurance (PLI).SBG Plan & for expansion of clientele base of PLI:
i. Under Sampoorna Bima Gram (SBG) Yojana, at least one village (having a minimum of 100 households) will be identified in each of the revenue districts India.
ii. All households of that identified village will be covered with a minimum of one RPLI (Rural Postal Life Insurance) policy each. 
iii. Under the expansion of clientele base of PLI, benefits of PLI will not be confined to Government and semi-Government employees anymore.
iv. It will also be available to Doctors, Engineers, Management Consultants, Charted Accountants, Architects, Lawyers, Bankers, employees of listed companies.
About Department of Posts:
♦ Services – Letter post, parcel service, EMS, delivery, freight forwarding, third-party logistics, deposit account
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi

Current Affairs October 12, 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Cabinet approves SANKALP & STRIVE Schemes to boost Skill India Mission
In a bid to provide a boost to ‘Skill India Mission’, on October 11, 2017, Union Cabinet approved two new skill development schemes named Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) and Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE). Both these schemes are result oriented programmes focusing on vocational education and training.
i. SANKALP is a centrally sponsored scheme having financial outlay Rs 4,455 crore out of which 3300 crore will be in the form of a loan from World Bank.
ii. STRIVE is a central sector scheme having financial outlay Rs 2200 crore out of which half the amount will be in the form of loan assistance from World Bank.

Cabinet Approvals on October 12 2017
On October 11, 2017, Union Cabinet gave its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Financial Services Commission (FSC), Gibraltar for mutual co-operation and technical assistance.
i. Cabinet approves MoU between SEBI and Capital Markets Authority (CMA), Kuwait
ii. Union Cabinet has approved the signing of Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan on the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP).
iii. Cabinet approves MoC between India and Japan on Establishing Flexible and Global LNG Market
iv. Cabinet approves MoU between India and Belarus for Cooperation in the field of Vocational Education and Training
v. Cabinet approves MoU between India and Morocco on cooperation in the field of water resources.

UP government launches ‘Sankalp Seva’ bus service
On 11^th October 2017, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath flagged off 50 buses under the ‘Sankalp Seva’ bus service in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.‘Sankalp Seva’ Bus Service:
i. The buses launched under ‘Sankalp Seva’ bus service will connect 6,000 villages. Uttar Pradesh Transport Minister Swatantra Dev Singh was also present at the event.
ii. In his address, Yogi Adityanath said that, the state government was taking initiatives to provide better bus services to the people, so that, everyone will have access to all kind of facilities.
iii. He also said that, to honour the sacrifices of the martyrs, the state government will construct ‘Gaurav Marg Path’ which will contain statues of the martyrs.
Recent Schemes introduced by Uttar Pradesh:
♦ UP Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivaah Yojana – Mass Marriage Scheme for Couples
♦ Pandit Deendayal Gramodyog Rozgar Yojana UP
♦ Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana for Pregnant Women in Uttar Pradesh

NMCG signs agreement to set up sewage treatment plants in Haridwar, Varanasi
On 11^th October 2017, the Central Government approved setting up of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) at Haridwar and Varanasi under its Namami Gange programme.
STPs at Haridwar & Varanasi:
i. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has signed an agreement with Uttarakhand Pey Jal Nigam and Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam and private players for setting up first STPs in Haridwar and Varanasi under hybrid annuity mode.
ii. The project would be done in public-private partnership mode for a combined cost of Rs.324.69 crore. Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari presided over the programme where the agreement was signed.
iii. The 50 Million Litres Daily (MLD)-capacity STP in Varanasi was awarded to a consortium (a group of companies) led by Essel Infra Projects Limited. Its estimated cost isRs.153.16 crore.
iv.A total sewage treatment capacity of 82 MLD (68MLD in Jagjeetpur and 14 MLD in Sarai) in Haridwar was awarded to HNB Engineers Private Limited. Its estimated cost is Rs.171.53 crore.
About Namami Gange programme:
♦ Objectives – elimination of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of River Ganga
♦ Budget – Rs.20,000 crore

Manohar Lal Khattar announces ration cards for nomadic tribe in Haryana
On 11^th September 2017, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced ration cards for nomadic tribes living in different parts of Haryana.Ration cards for Nomadic Tribes in Haryana:
i. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar interacted with representatives of denotified and nomadic tribes from all over Haryana.
ii. Khattar announced that, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department would organise camps to issue ration cards to nomadic tribes. This would provide identification to them as permanent residents.
iii. Krishan Kumar, Minister of State for Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes said that, the Haryana government has also opened hostels in 11 districts for students belonging to these tribes and poor children belonging to other castes.
About Haryana:
♦ Capital – Chandigarh
♦ Chief Minister – Manohar Lal Khattar
♦ Governor – Kaptan Singh Solanki

Gujarat government announces Garments & Apparel Policy 2017
On October 12, 2017, Gujarat State Government under Chief Minister Vijay Rupaniannounced its Garments and Apparel Policy-2017.
Salient Features of Gujarat Garments and Apparel Policy, 2017:
i. The policy has been prepared with an aim to make Gujarat number 1 state in textiles sector. It is to be noted that Gujarat is a major producer of cotton.
ii. Under this policy, Gujarat Government will make efforts to make supply chain in textiles sector suitable for farm-to-fibre, fibre-to-fabric, fabric-to-fashion and fashion to foreign exports. 
iii. To encourage women’s employment in textiles sector, State Government will provide financial assistance of Rs. 4,000 per month to female workers working in the factories. This assistance will be provided for five years.
iv. In order to encourage investments in the textile sector, Gujarat state government will also provide interest subsidy and relief in electric bills.
Quick Facts about Gujarat
♦ Capital – Gandhinagar
♦ Current Chief Minister – Vijay Rupani
♦ Current Governor – Om Prakash Kohli

Current Affairs October 11, 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Maharashtra govt approves climate change adaptation policy
On October 10, 2017, Maharashtra State cabinet approved a climate change adaptation policy that will focus on developing environment-friendly villages and cities.
i. Maharashtra State Government will set up a special cell under the state Environment department for the effective implementation of this policy of developing environment-friendly villages and cities.
ii. Besides, Maharashtra cabinet has approved financial allocation for special scheme for pending agricultural pumps in Vidarbha and Marathwada region.

Projects worth Rs 700 crore sanctioned for Namami Gange programme by NMCG
The National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG) has sanctioned Rs.700 crore for eight projects in the Namami Gange programme.Misson of Eight project
Four projects related to sewage management in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.Three are related to treatment of drains through bio-remediation. One of inventorization and surveillance of river Ganga
1.Four projects related to sewage management in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.
NMCG has sanctioned a project for pollution reduction in river Ganga at Bally in West Bengal at an estimated cost of Rs 200.07 crore with construction of a 40 MLD STP.
i. Under Hybrid Annuity model construction of a 65 MLD STP has been approved for Bhagalpur in Bihar at an estimated cost of Rs 268.49 crore.
ii. Uttar Pradesh, sewage treatment related works at an estimated cost of Rs 213.62 crore have also been approved that includes construction of two STPs (28 MLD + 05 MLD) in Farrukabad and one 2 MLD STP at Bargadiya drain in Fatehpur
2.Three are related to treatment of drains through bio-remediation:-
Rajapur drain ,Digha drain in Patna and Laksar drain in Haridwar will be treated at an estimated cost of Rs 4.29 crore.
3.One of inventorization and surveillance of river Ganga:-
It has also been approved at an estimated cost of Rs 42.9 crore to strengthen environmental regulation and water quality monitoring vis-vis river Ganga.

Germany to help Indian Railways to increase speed of trains on existing corridors
On October 10, 2017, a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) was signed in New Delhi between Union Ministry of Railways and Germany for carrying out feasibility study on existing Chennai-Kazipet corridor of Indian Railways by German Railways for increasing the speed of passenger trains to 200 kmph.
More information about JDI between Union Ministry of Railways and Germany:
i. The JDI focuses on upgrading trains running in Chennai-Kazipet corridor to semi high speed trains which run at 200 km per hour.
ii. Feasibility study will be carried out in three phases requiring an estimated time of 22 months.
iii. Cost of the feasibility study will be shared equally (50-50 percent) by the Ministry of Railways and Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
iv.Post finalisation of terms and conditions, a separate agreement will be signed between the two entities.

IIT Kharagpur partners with Samsung for Digital Academy
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Kharagpur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Samsung India for the setting up of a digital academy in its campus.
More Details about Digital Academy to be set up by IIT-Kharagpur and Samsung
i. The Digital Academy will be hosted by IIT-Kharagpur’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering. 
ii. At the academy, students will be provided training on the Internet of Things (IoT) through Tizen-based operating systems which is used by Samsung for its mobile phones and home appliances.
iii. This academy is a part of Samsung India’s corporate social initiative that aims at bridging the digital divide in India by helping students to acquire cutting-edge technology skills.